Ignition switch



Jan. 10, 1928.

' w. KAISLING 1,655,614

IGNITION SWITCH Original Filed April 4. 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet l WIFW Fl rrnnnnn I Jan. 10, 1928.

1,655,614 w. KAISLING IGNITIONY SWITCH Original Filed April 4. 1918 2 Sheds-Sheet. 2

, Pin/5777071 Z/Z/i/Zz'am 5' Z5 Zing Patented Jan. 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,655,614 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM KAISLING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO KELLOGG SWITCH- BOARD AND SUPPLY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLI- NOIS.

IGNITION SWITCH.

Original application filed Apri 4, 1918, Serial No. 226,822. Patent No. 1,395,679, dated November 1, 1921. Reissue No. 15,700, dated October 16, 1923. Divided and this application filed May 2, 1921.

Serial No. 466,070.

My invention relates to electrical switches in general, and has to do more particularly with switches for controlling a plurality of circuits. The present embodiment of my invention is constructed more particularly for use in connection with ignition or lighting circuits for automobiles or the like. An objectof my invention is the provision of a switch of the class described which em bodies desirable features and advantages .all in a simple, efficient, and economical manner; and to the accomplishment of this object and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the novel details of construction, parts, and combination of parts hereafter described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

This application is a division of applicants pending application, Serial No. 226,622, filed April t, 1918, issued November 1, 1921, Patent Number 1,395,67 9 and re-issued October 16, 1923, Reissue Patent Number 15,700.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters in the different views denote like parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a face view of the switch of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a right side view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an interior face view of the mechanism with the casing and cap removed;

Fig. 5 is a left side view of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a right side view of Fig. 4:;

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of Fig. 4 omitting the apparatus on the back of the mounting plate;

Fig. 8 is a view of the interior mechanism with parts removed to more clearly show the locking. arrangement, the switching lever being at normal and unlocked.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the locking mechanism in operated position;

Fig. 10, is a sectional view along the line 10-10 of Fig. at;

Fig. 11 15 a sectional View of the locking device;

Flgs. 12, 13 and let illustrate the normal and, two actuated positions of the switch unit; and

Fig. 15 is a partial sect1onal view showing the method of inserting the contact springs into the mounting plate.

Referring now in general to my invention as illustrated, it comprises a switching unit S having a normal position A and two operating positions B and C. When the switch is in position B, a single set of spark plugs are placed in operative relation with the ignition apparatus, and when in position C two or a double set of spark plugs are placed in operative relation with the ignition apparatus. While I have described the switch in connection with a certain arrangement, I wish it understood that I do not wish to be limited to this particular arrangement, as the switch of my invention may be adapted for many other uses without departing from th spirit of the same. I have not shown my device connected up with any particular circuit arrangement, but it is, of course, apparent that it may be used in connection with various circuit arrangements and that the device may be used as a switch for controlling lighting circuits as well as for controlling ignition circuits. The particular switch shown in the drawings was arranged to be used in connection with a single and a double ignition circuit, so'that I have shown the arrangement of the contact springs and contact maker accordingly.

I also provide a locking mechanism L which consists preferably of a standard tumbler lock which controls a sliding look ing plate which is adapted to lock the switch in its normal position only. If the switch is in. either of its operative positions 13 or C, and the operator attempts to operate the lock, he is at once made aware of the fact that the switch is in one of its operative positions due to the fact that the key can only be turned part way. The switch must be moved to its normal or inoperative position A before the lock can be operated to lock the switch and the key withdrawn.

Referring now more in detail to my invention as illustrated, it comprises preferably a mounting base or plate 1 made of any suitable insulating material, such as bakelite or the like, the said base being molded of this insulating molding material into the desired shape. The mounting base or plate 1 is provided with a central opening 2 of a size to receive the stud 3, which stud serves as a support for the switching unit S.

The middle portion of the stud has a hexagcnally shaped shoulder portion 1 wh ch sets intoa. henagonally shaped orifice 5 formed in the plate 1, to prevent the stud. 3 from being'rotated 1n the opening 2. The

threaded portion 6 of the stud 3 receives a nut 7, which nut 7 when screwed in place holds the stud 3 in place in the mounting plate 1.

The switching unit S is constructed of two parts, namely, the supporting stud 8 and a cylinder 9. The cylinder 9 is preferat right angles to the said plate 10 to form. conducting segments which co-operate with the contact springs 13, 1d and 15. Thecylinder 9 is provided with a central orifice 16 of a size to just receive the supporting stud 8, which stud 8 is provided with an orifice 17, into which the stud 3 fits, thus rotatably supporting the unit S as a whole upon the stud 3. The cylinder 9 is forced onto the stud 8, so as to form a forced fit. A plate 18 is staked to the stud 8, and is prpvided with a pin 19, which pin issuitably staked to the plate 18, the said pin19 extending into a suitable opening 20 in the cylinder 9.

' The pin 19 may be molded in the cylinder 9 and then riveted over when the plate 18. is put in place and staked to the stud 8. An insulating washer 21 is placed between the plate 18 and the cylinder 9 to insulatethe portions 11 and 12 of the plate 10 from the plate 18. The pin 19 which extends into the cylinder 9 locates the said cylinder. 9 in rela'-- tion to the plate 18, and also forms a connection between the said cylinder 9 and stud 8, so that when the unit S is moved toits several different positions, the cylinder 9 is rotated therewith. The plate 18 is oper- I atively associated with the locking mechanism L, as will be more fully hereinafter .de-

scribed. The springs 13, 14: and 15 are all similar in shape and are all secured to the mounting plate lin a similar manner so that by describing the method of securing the spring 13 a further description of the others will be unnecessary. Thespring 18 is provided with a tongue 22 whichis forcedinto a suitable opening 23 in the plate 1, the said opening 23 being slightly smaller than the tongue 22, so asto produce a forced fit. The spring 13 is provided with shoulders 24 which rest against the top surface of the.

plate 1 When in position, and with shoulders 25 which extend slightly beyond thebotto'm surface of the plate 1. The shoulders 25 are staked to hold the spring 13 in position and to prevent it from beingwithdrawn from the plate 1. The'springs 13, 14c and 15 may be formed right in the base when it is cast. The free end of the spring 13 is rounded to form a contact portionf26 for engagement with. the conducting portions 11 and 12 of the plate 10. The spring 13 normally rests in the concave portion 27 of the annular surface 28 of the cylinder 9 y a To produce a snap action when the switching unit S is moved to its different positions, the surface 28 of the cylinder is corrugated or formed into concave portions 27, and the conducting segments 11 and 12 are also corrugated or 'providedwith concave portions so that when the switching unit S is in positions A, B and C, as illustrated in Figs. 12, 13 and 1a, the free, end of the springs 13, 14

and 15 rest in these concave portions 27 to hold the switch S in position to-prevent it from accidentally turning. Now,when the switching unit S is moved from one position to another, the contacting ends. 26 of the springs 13, 14 and 15 leave the furrows 27 and ride upon the ridges 29, and due to the springs 13, let and 15 being under tension,

when the said springs leave the ridges 29 they tend to turn the switching unit- S, thus producing a snap action for the said unit S and at the same time the springs 13, 14 and 15 hold the said switching unit S in its new position. The springs 13, 1 1 and15' have their respective tongues 22 protruding through the rear portion of plate 1 to form connecting terminals T. A clamping member 30 is provided-for each ofthe springs 13, 14 and 15, and'provides means for securing electrical conductors to the said springs. A screw 31 is provided with a look washer 32 for securely holding the electrical conductors between the said switch spring tongues 22 andthe contacting surfaces of the clamping members 30.

When the switching unit S is in its nor-' mal position A, the circuit is open at the contact'springs 1 1 and 15, the said springs resting at this time upon insulatedportions of the surface 28 of the cylinder 9, and contact spring'13 engaging segment 11. When the switchin unit S is moved to position B, the contact spring 14 engages the segment 12, and owing to the fact that contact spring 13 is already engaging segment 11, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 12, a circuit is closed from one of these springs to the other through the plate 10. If the switching .unit Sis moved to its position C, then contact spring 13 remains in contact with segment 11, and contact spring 14 also remains in engageme'nt- 'with segment 12, but contact spring 15 now engages segment 11, thus electrically connecting all three springs together through said plate 10. f

A locking arrangement whereby the switch unit may be locked against movement is provided, and includes a usual tumbler lock 35, which is set into a recess 36 formed in the plate 1, said lock being operatively associated with a slidable locking plate 37. The barrel 38 of the lock is provided'with a pair of downwardly extending lugs 39 and 40 which fit into a suitably formed recessed opening 36 which is provided with two notches 41 and 42, disposed in the said recess 36, to receive the two downwardly extending lugs 39 and 40 of the lock 35. The notches 41 and 42 are a trifle smaller than the size of the lugs 39 and 40 of the lock 35 so that the said'lugs must be forced into the notches 41 and 42 to insure a firm seat for the lock 35. The switch cover also operates to retain the lock 35 in position, as will be more fully hereinafter explained. The lock 35 is provided with a pin 43 which is fastened to the cylinder 44 of the lock 35 in any suitable manner so that when the key 45 is turned the pin 43 moves with the cylinder 44.

The locking mechanism L includes a sliding lock plate 37 set in an orifice 46 of the plate 1. An oblong opening 47 is provided in the looking plate 37, hrough which the stud 3 extends. to permit the plate 37 to move to the right or left as the case may be when the lock is turned to lock or unlock the switch. The oblong opening 4? and pin limits the movement of the said plate Pins 48 and 49 are set or formed in recesses 46 of the plate 1, preferably being set in the said plate 1 during the molding of the same. These pins 48 and 49 fit between the bifurcated ends 50 and 51 of the plate 3'? ant form guiding means for the plate 3'? when said plate is moved to the right or left in locking or unlocking the switch S. The plate 3'? is provided with an extension 52 which has its end 53 turned up at right angles to the said plate and located so that it is in the path of the pin 43 of the cylinder 44 of thelock 35 for purposes to be more fully hereinafter described. The plate 37 is provided with a lug 54, preferably formed integrally therewith, the said lug 54 being struck up from the plate 37, and co-operating with the plate 18 of the unit S, as will he more fully pointed out in describing the operation of the locking mechanism.

In Fig. 8. T have shown the locking mechanism L and switching unit S in their normal positions, and in Fig. 9 I show the lock ing mechanism L operated and the switching; unit S locked in its normal position. lock the unit S, the key 45 is turned until the pin 43 engages the upturned lug 53 of the plate 3. The plate 37 then moves to the left into the position shown in 9. The plate 18 of the unit S, which is also associated with the locking mechanism, has a notch 55 cut in the periphery of the same, a. shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Vi hen the plate is moved into locking position, the lug;

54 is moved to the left into the notch 55 of theplate 18. Now should an attempt be made to move the unit'S to its position B, the shoulder 56, formed by the notch 55 cut into the plate 18, engages the lug 54 and prevents any movement of the switching unit S. Assuming now that the switch unit S is in either of its positions B or C, and the operator attempts to lock the switch, the key 45 'can be turned only part way until the pin 43 engages the lug 53 of the plate 37. Now any further attempt at turning the key 45 is halted, due to the lug of the plate 37 engaging the periphery 58 of the plate 18, thereby preventing: the pin 43 from moving the locking plate to the left. The key 45 cannot be withdrawn when it is in this position, and this unsuccessful attempt to turn the key 45 will indicate to the operator that the switch unit S is in an on position and must be restored to its position A or oil before the switch can be locked.

In Figure 8 I have shown the plate 18 in full lines in its normal po "tion, and have shown it in dotted lines in B and C positions. Plate 13 is provided with an arm 60 formed integrally therewith, which is adapted to engage a post 61, set in the plate 1 during the moulding of the same, to limit the movement of the switch unit S in one direction. The arm G0 is adapted to en c the lug 54 to limit the movement 0: LllQ switch unit S in the other or counter-elocltwise direction. lVhen the plate 18 is in its normal position and the locking plate 37 has been operated'to lock tl e si itch against actuation, then the arm 50 engages the pin 61 to preventmovement of the plate 18 in a clockwise direction, and the shoulder of the plate 18 engages the stun 54 of the plate 37 to limit the movement of the plate 18 in a counter-clockwise direction. To yieldingly hold the plate 37 in its locked or unlocked positions. I pro ide an arm 62 pivoted to the plate 1 by means of the pivot pin Notches 64 and 65 are provided in the plate 37 in which the nose 66 of the arm rests. The arm 62 is spring pressed into said notches by means of the spring 5? which has one end 68 inserted in a slot 69 in the arm 62. The free end 70 of the spring bears against a suitable lug 71 formed integrally with the base plate 1.

A cap 72 is provided to enclose the mechanism, and a top or name plate holder 73 is also provided. The mounting plate 1 has an annular shoulder 7 4 upon which the cap 72 rests when in position. The name plate holder 7 3 is dished to receive the name plate 75, and a ferrule 76. which through suitable openings in the holder 73 and name plate 75, is spun over the name plate 75 and holder 73 to hold the two in alignment. Studs 77 and 1 8 are suitably staked to the holder, and pass throughsuitable openings ceive nuts 81.

"placed between the nut 81 and the plate 1 to I o in Fig. 1.

in the cap in the plate 1. .The portions 80 of the studs 77 and 78 which protrude beyond the rear of the plate 1' are threaded to re- Split lock washers 82 are lock the said nut 81 in place when screwed down to hold the holder 73 and cap 72 securely to the plate 1. The holder73, name plate 75, andcap 72 are provided with suitable openings 85 for the lock 35; The ferrule 76 is of a sizeto allow the passage of the stud 8, which stud is adapted to receive the operating lever 86. The lever 86 is held in place by means of the screw 87, which passes through a suitable opening in the stud 8 and has screw threaded engagement with a tapped orifice in the lever 86, as shown in dotted'lines in Fig. 1. The operating lever is grasped by the operator to move the unit S to its different operative positions and back to normal, the lever being shown in dotted lines in its operative positions B and I also illustrate in 1,2 and 3, the preferred method employed for mounting the switch as a whole to the cowl dash of an automobile. The mounting plate 1 is provided with a circular extension 90 through which the threaded end of the stud 3 protrudes. The cowl dash 91 of the automobile has a suitable orifice92 cut in it of a size to receive the said casing 72. A notch 93 is cut,

- spans the switch and is of such a length that its free ends 98 and 99 rest against the inner surface of the cowl dash 91. A nut 100 is provided which'has screw threaded engagement with the stud 3, and when the nut 100 is screwed down againstthe clamp 96 the said clamp is forced down against its normal tension into a channel 101 which is ar of the automobile.

cut in the extension 90. A split lock washer 102 is laced between the nut 100' and the clamp after the switch is secured to the cowl dash 91. The central portion of the clamp rests in the; channel 101, preventing the clamp from rotating about the stud 8 due to the The edge of the older 7 3 is held tightly against the face of the cowl dash due to the spring clamp 96, and the switch as a whole is securely held in place in the opening 92 against. rotation'or displacement.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to the details of construction, it is to be understood that it is not limited thereto, as many changes and 6 to lock the nut 100 in position.

modifications may be made therein without departing therefrom, and I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the exact structure asshown, but aim to cover all such changes and modifications which come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described including a mounting member provided with an opening, a switch for controlling the circuits of an automobile provided with a front plate, a rearwardly extending tongue attached to said front plate, a non-rotatable post for said switch, said post rotatably sup-' porting a contact maker for said switch, said opening in said mounting member adapted to receive said switch as a unit with said front plate engaging said mounting member, a spring extending across said opening and attached to said switch through the medium of said post to securely hold said switch in place, and a groove in said opening for receiving said tongue to prevent rotation of sald switch 1n said openmg.

2. A device of the character described including'a mounting member provided with groove to prevent rotation of said switch,

and means for engaging said spring to prevent the spring from rotating relative to the I switch.

3. A device of the character described including a mounting member provided with an aperture, an automobile circuit controlling switch. having a mounting plate and adapted to just fit in said aperture, a front plate-for said switch engaging said mounting member, a rearwardly extending member integrally formed with said mounting plate, a groove cut in the free end of said last member, a flat spring adapted to fit into said groove and span across said aperture to securely and yieldingly hold the switch in positio I '4. A device'of the character described inadapted to, just fit in said aperture, a front plate for said switch engaging said mountion iii)

ing member, a lug attached tosaid front 7 plate and extending rearwardly therefrom, a groove cut in the free end of said lug, a

flat spring adapted to fit into said groove and span across said aperture to securely and yieldingly hold the switch in position, said spring fitting into said groove to prevent the spring from rotating relative to the switch, and means on said front plate and in said aperture for preventing said switch from rotating in said aperture.

5. A device of the character described including a mounting member provided with an aperture, an automobile circuit controlling switch having a mounting plate and adapted to just fit in said aperture, a front plate for said switch engaging said mounting member, a groove cut in the end of the rearwardly extending portion of said mounting plate of said automobile switch, a flat spring adapted to fit into said groove and span across said aperture to securely and yieldingly hold the switch in position, said spring fitting into said groove to prevent rotation of said spring relative to said switch, means on said front plate and in said aperture for preventing said switch from rotating in said aperture, a threaded member extending through a hole in said mounting plate in alignment with said groove and also through a hole in said spring, and a nut adapted to be placed on said threaded member to place said spring under tension.

6. A device of the character described including a mounting plate provided with an orifice, an ignition switch for controlling circuits of an internal combustion engine, a movable contact element for said switch, a fixed post for rotatably supporting said contact element, said orifice in said mounting plate adapted to receive said switch, a front plate for said switch for engaging said mounting plate provided with a rearwardly extending tongue, a bridging member extending across said orifice and attached to said switch by means of said post to securely hold the switch in position, and a groove in said orifice for receiving said tongue for preventing rotating of said switch in said orifice.

7. A device of the character described including a mounting member, an ignition switch for controlling circuits of an internal combustion engine and provided with a mounting plate, a lug member integrally formed with said mounting plate and extending rearwardly of said mounting plate, said lug being provided with a groove formed in its free end, an orifice in said mounting plate adapted to receive said switch, a front plate for said switch engaging said mounting member, a bridging member engaging said groove and extending across said orifice and attached to said switch to securely and yieldingly hold the same in position, means on said front plate and in said groove for preventing the rotation of said switch in said orifice, and means including said lug and groove for preventing rotation of said bridging member relative to said ignition switch.

Signed by me at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 23rd day of April, 1921.

WILLIALI KAISLING. 

